Ariana Grande Gets Candid About Her Anxiety After Manchester Attack: "I Felt So Upside Down"

Updated on 7/14/2018 at 11:30 AM

Ariana Grande has been through a lot in the past year, but she's learning to find the light in the darkness. Following the devastating Manchester attack, which killed 22 people and left at least 50 injured, the singer is slowy stepping back in the spotlight with her new album, Sweetener. The 25-year-old singer recently appeared on the cover of Elle's August issue, and she opened up about the new journey in her life. While she admits that she suffered from anxiety and PTSD following the attack, she's finding new ways to use her platform for good, including speaking out on important political issues. See some of her best quotes ahead.

On having anxiety after the Manchester attack: "When I got home from tour, I had really wild dizzy spells, this feeling like I couldn't breathe. I would be in a good mood, fine and happy, and they would hit me out of nowhere. I've always had anxiety, but it had never been physical before. There were a couple of months straight where I felt so upside down."
On performing again after Manchester: "Why would I second-guess getting on a f*cking stage and being there for them? That city, and their response? That changed my life."

On speaking up: "There's a lot of noise when you say anything about anything. But if I'm not going to say it, what's the f*cking point of being here? Not everyone is going to agree with you, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to shut up and sing my songs. I'm also going to be a human being who cares about other human beings; to be an ally and use my privilege to help educate people."
On spreading the light during this "tough, wild, chaotic time": "Everyone has to have uncomfortable conversations with their relatives. Instead of unfriending people on Facebook who share different political views, comment! Have a conversation! Try to spread the f*cking light."